Residence

New Zealand Skilled Migrant Resident Visa

The Skilled Migrant Visa is the most common choice for people wanting to call New Zealand home.

The skilled migrant visa is a points based system .To be eligible to apply you must meet a level set by Immigration New Zealand, with points being awarded based on different factors relating to your skills, qualifications, experience and personal factors. Attaining the set level of points is dependent on many factor. It is essential to have your eligibility assessed by a licensed immigration advisor to avoid costly disappointment. When you know that you are eligible the application is a two part process with the initial step being an online Expression of Interest (EOI) submitted to immigration. If your EOI is selected by immigration then you will be invited to apply for permanent residence in New Zealand.

Becoming a New Zealand citizen

In New Zealand, residency and citizenship are different. If you are granted residency, you retain your original citizenship. However, after you’ve lived in New Zealand for a certain period of time you may apply for New Zealand citizenship and the right to hold a New Zealand Passport.

New citizenship requirements came into effect in April 2005. As a result, you need to live in New Zealand legally for five years (formerly three years) before applying for citizenship, depending on when you were granted residency.

From 1 January 2006, children born in New Zealand (or in the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau) will acquire New Zealand citizenship at birth only if at least one of their parents is a New Zealand citizen or has permanent residency.

New Zealand allows its citizens to hold multiple citizenships. However, some other countries will not allow this. You should check with the authorities of the country for which you currently hold citizenship before applying for New Zealand citizenship.